NASA all set to launch Discovery on March 11
NASA would complete International Space Station assembly by 2010 and retire its three-ship shuttle fleet. The shuttle programme has been the cornerstone of US human space exploration since the last 30 years.
OFFICIALS OF National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) decided to launch space shuttle Discovery on Wednesday (March 11) on a construction mission to the International Space Station.
This would be the 125th shuttle mission and also the first of five planned for 2009. The scheduled time of launch is 9:20 pm (EDT) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission was put on hold to look into the safety concerns regarding the shuttle's fuel pressure valves.
While speaking to the media, Mike Leinbach said, “We're feeling really, really good. It's great to have a launch date.” John Shannon, the shuttle programme manager said, “The vehicle is in great shape.”
The shuttle would deliver the final set of US manufactured solar wing panels to the station. It is a $100 billion project involving 16 nations and has been under construction for more than a decade.
NASA would complete station assembly by 2010 and retire its three-ship shuttle fleet. The shuttle programme has been the cornerstone of US human space exploration since the last 30 years.
The launch of Discovery was repeatedly postponed as NASA was busy dealing with a potential safety issue regarding fuel pressure valves in the shuttle's engine compartment. The valves assure that the hydrogen fuel tank of the ship is properly pressurised throughout the 8.5-minute ride into orbit.
The last shuttle was launched in November 2008. At that time, one of the three valves cracked accidentally, raising serious safety questions. The concerned officials replaced Discovery's valves with appropriate spares.
They also ordered extensive tests and analysis to understand worst-case scenarios. Now, the NASA officials feel it's safe to launch.
This would be the 125th shuttle mission and also the first of five planned for 2009. The scheduled time of launch is 9:20 pm (EDT) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission was put on hold to look into the safety concerns regarding the shuttle's fuel pressure valves.
While speaking to the media, Mike Leinbach said, “We're feeling really, really good. It's great to have a launch date.” John Shannon, the shuttle programme manager said, “The vehicle is in great shape.”
The shuttle would deliver the final set of US manufactured solar wing panels to the station. It is a $100 billion project involving 16 nations and has been under construction for more than a decade.
NASA would complete station assembly by 2010 and retire its three-ship shuttle fleet. The shuttle programme has been the cornerstone of US human space exploration since the last 30 years.
The launch of Discovery was repeatedly postponed as NASA was busy dealing with a potential safety issue regarding fuel pressure valves in the shuttle's engine compartment. The valves assure that the hydrogen fuel tank of the ship is properly pressurised throughout the 8.5-minute ride into orbit.
The last shuttle was launched in November 2008. At that time, one of the three valves cracked accidentally, raising serious safety questions. The concerned officials replaced Discovery's valves with appropriate spares.
They also ordered extensive tests and analysis to understand worst-case scenarios. Now, the NASA officials feel it's safe to launch.
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